Biology, Distribution and Management of Burbot (Lota lota) in Washington State

There are recent concerns that burbot stocks have been declining in some Northwestern states and Canadian Provinces. Therefore, we investigated the distribution, status and management history of burbot stocks in Washington, and compared their growth, condition, and life history characteristics with those in other regions. Eleven stocks of burbot occurred in eastern Washington, primarily in large, deep lakes and reservoirs of the upper Columbia and Yakima River watersheds. Status of three stocks was known: the Lake Roosevelt burbot stock has increased; the Palmer Lake stock has declined; and the non-indigenous stock in Banks Lake may be extinct. Average growth rate of age 1-10 burbot from four Washington lakes was slower than that in Midwestern states, but similar to that in Alaska, Northern Canada, and Wyoming. Washington burbot over age 10 grew at slower rates than those in all other regions. Average relative weight of Washington burbot was similar to that in reservoirs in other areas of the country, but less than that of lake populations in those other areas. We reported available harvest rates of Washington burbot, but there was insufficient information to determine what impact angler harvest has on most Washington populations.